March 8, 2016
Graph of the Day: Global killings of land and environmental defenders, 2002-2014
By Melissa Cronin
4 March 2016 (Grist) – The death of Honduran environmental and human rights activist Berta Cáceres this week is an unspeakable tragedy — but it’s not unique. In fact, environmentalists have historically been targeted for their actions, and for speaking out about environmental injustice. Last April, a report found that in 2014, at least 116 environmental activists were murdered. Of these, the largest percentages were protesting the activities of hydropower, mining, and agribusiness companies. Global Witness compiled the killings into a map by country, giving a startling picture of the dangers facing environmentalists around the world. [more]
Map: 116 environmental activists were killed in just one year
Nobody was killed in the United States, but we've got some truly draconian laws and efforts being directed at environmentalists here. Environmentalists are considered domestic terrorist, even for simple protests and exercising their First Amendment rights.